NR Investigation of Structural Basis Underlying Synergistic Binding of Lipopeptides and Antibiotics against Bacteria

In this part of the proposed work, we wish to explore how antibiotics and antimicrobial peptides interact with model lipid bilayers in the form of a supported lipid bilayer, mimicking key features of outer surfaces of red blood cells and bacteria. From home lab based dynamic light scattering and molecular dynamic simulations, we have found varying interactions associated with charges and hydrophobicity. NR is uniquely powerful at unraveling structural details associated with antibiotic binding to the bilayers. This work aims to investigate what happens when model lipid bilayers are exposed to lipopeptides, antibiotics and a combination of both, to offer structural basis underlying their synergy. This work will form a useful basis for us to compare how antimicrobial peptides and traditional antibiotics interact with representative membrane bilayer models, separately or combined.